Wayanad set to get advanced X-band weather radar, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is installing an X-band Doppler Weather Radar in Wayanad, Kerala.
• The radar will be commissioned by December this year at Pulinjaly, on land provided by Pazhassi Raja College.
• This initiative aims to enhance forecasts of extreme weather and strengthen early warning systems in the region.
• The move follows devastating landslides in Wayanad, including one in July 2024 that resulted in 420 fatalities.

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Detailed Insights:

• Wayanad district is highly susceptible to heavy rainfall and landslides due to its hilly terrain, with significant events recorded in August 2019 and July 2024.
• The district is ranked 13th among India's most landslide-prone regions according to the ISRO Landslide Atlas of India.
• The IMD, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is India's national agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and early warnings for various hazards.
• X-band radars are crucial for localized, high-resolution monitoring of weather phenomena, particularly for detecting small rain droplets and fog that can trigger landslides.
• These radars operate with shorter wavelengths (2-4 cm), providing detailed images within a range of 100-150 km, making them suitable for mountainous regions.
• The installation is part of broader efforts to improve disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in vulnerable areas.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• X-band Doppler Weather Radar: A type of radar operating in the X-band frequency (8-12 GHz) with short wavelengths (2-4 cm), used for high-resolution detection of small weather particles and their movement.
• Doppler Effect: The change in frequency of a wave as its source moves relative to an observer, utilized by Doppler radars to measure the velocity and direction of weather systems.
• Early Warning Systems (EWS): Comprehensive systems that integrate disaster risk knowledge, monitoring, forecasting, communication, and preparedness to provide timely alerts for impending hazards.